Abstract: "Certainly, the scope for development of algal ingredients for personal care applications is vast, with many algal species remaining entirely untapped," writes Euromonitor contributing analyst Cathy Boyle.

Boyle writes, "Algal ingredients appear in a wide range of different products and brands in the personal care market and wear very different guises in each area. For example, mainstream brands often use a basic seaweed extract simply as a way to add a more natural feel to their products, while natural personal care brands use seaweed extracts as active ingredients and make specific claims regarding their role. More recently, however, algal ingredients have taken a further step forward and new ingredients sourced from microalgae have started to feature in more advanced skin care brands as anti-ageing components. This exciting development is explored in more detail in Algal Ingredients: A More Sustainable Solution?.

"As in the food industry, algal ingredients are yet to be exploited to any significant degree in personal care, although this is starting to change as the potential is more widely recognised. Certainly, the scope for development of algal ingredients for personal care applications is vast, with many algal species remaining entirely untapped. Yet it would appear from recent R&D that algae are ideal raw materials for skin care products, thanks largely to the protective cells that they use to shield themselves from the harmful effects of the sun.

This article is an excerpt from Cosmetics & Toiletries sister publication for cosmetics business and marketing. View the complete article from GCI.

This content is adapted from an article in GCI Magazine. The original version can be found here.